If Only Hits Were Sales

"Not Your Father's Cropduster," a promotional video by GE Aviation, has almost gone viral with nearly 900,000 hits on YouTube.

Why should showgoers at NBAA care about dusting crops? Well, the H80 engine (a development of the Czech Walter M601), along with the smaller 750-shp H75 and larger 850 shp H85, is seeking approval from the FAA as an alternative engine to the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 in current business aircraft such as the King Air, and utility aircraft like the Cessna Caravan.

Why the popularity of the video? "We posted it on the GE corporate website, where it's gotten more hits than anything except GE's commercials," says Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager, GE Aviation business and general aviation. He hopes the engine will prove as popular!